Why Sight Words?
Sight words build speed and fluency when reading. Accuracy, speed, and fluency in reading increase reading comprehension. The sight words are a collection of words that a child should learn to recognize without sounding out the letters. The sight words are both common, frequently used words and foundational words that a child can use to build a vocabulary. Combining sight words with phonics instruction increases a child’s speed and fluency in reading.
(Source: Sight Words)
With repetition and continuous practice, children will become more confident and better readers.
Dolch Word Lists
I use the Dolch Word Lists when working on sight words with the students I support. It is broken down into five grade groups: Pre-Primer, Primer, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3. To keep students engaged, I make it a big deal when they've "passed a level." I spin it so it's like they've passed a video game level, and hence they will want to keep trying in order to get to the "next level."
Click here to download pre-made, ready-to-print flashcards.
Teaching Sight Words
(Source: Sight Words)
Lesson: introduce new sight words and review previously taught ones (10 minutes)
Games: reinforce new sight words and develop speed and fluency for previously taught ones (20 minutes)
Sight Word Lessons
(10 minutes)
Review words from previous lesson using the See & Say technique. * Note: If the word is difficult for them, review it again during the main lesson (Step 3)
Introduce new words one by one, for a maximum of 3 new words, using the five teaching techniques (in this order): • See & Say: student sees the word on the flash card, then says it while underlining the word with their finger • Spell Reading: student says the word and spells out the letters, then reads the word again • Arm Tapping: student says the word, then spells out the letters while tapping them on their arm, then reads the word again • Air Writing: student says the word, then writes the letters in the air • Table Writing: student writes letters on the table - first looking at, then not looking at the flash card
Review words that student had difficulty with in Step 1, using the five teaching techniques.
If student makes a mistake, correct them immediately using the Corrections Procedure (see below).
Sight Word Games
(20 minutes)
Quick Reminders
Use numerous, entertaining games to reinforce sight words
Only play sight word games after the lesson
Do not introduce new words during the games
Make sure the student has a good grasp on the words before using them in a game
List of Games
Sight Words has many ideas for sight word games, of which some have been copied below for ability to be replicated for at-home learning.
Sight Words Hangman: use a mini whiteboard and play hangman with a sight word
Sight Words Tic-Tac-Toe: read words correctly to put down O or X (can play using a mini whiteboard)
Sight Words Boom!: read sight words to collect cards, but watch out for the BOOM! cards, which means the game restarts
Sight Words Bean Bag Toss: find a soft object to throw (e.g. a plush toy) and lay out the sight words on the ground, then throw the object and read the sight word it lands on
Sight Words Fly Swat: lay out the flashcards, then someone reads the word while the student tries to find it quickly and hit it
Sight Words Find It!: lay out the flashcards randomly in a large area (e.g. in the yard, driveway, living room), then pick a sight word off the top of your head and run to it
Sight Words Corrections Procedure
Students will make mistakes as they learn these sight words, and our purpose is not to punish or focus on the incorrect word, but rather reinforce the correct word using this simple script that has been summarized below.
When mistakes are made, corrections must be made on the spot.
The Corrections Procedure should take no more than 20 seconds to complete.
After the correction, simply continue with the activity (lesson or game).
Do not detour into a phonics lesson by sounding out the word; Sight words needs to be instantly recognized, not decoded.
Additional Resources
There are many resources available online that can help reinforce sight words. You can simply search up "sight words" on Google or YouTube, and many resources will pop up. Here are some videos I particularly like on YouTube that provides a visual with the sight word, in addition to its usage in a sentence:
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